The Albany River Rats Will Be Moving To Charlotte, North Carolina

It's official! The Albany River Rats will be moving to Charlotte North Carolina. Walter Robb has sold his minor league hockey franchise, which ends the River Rats 17-year run in Albany.

This sale brings the River Rats franchise closer to its parent team, the Caroline Hurricanes of the NHL.

But have no worries! The sale of the team will not affect the remainder of the 2009-2010 season. It has also been said that Robb and other officials expect to bring a new hockey franchise to Albany within 45 days.

The River Rats' season runs through early April. The franchise's final home game will be April 3 against the Adirondack Phantoms, of Glens Falls.